Emma Simmonds, Her Husband Edward Simmonds, and Son Private Edward Simmonds, Devonshire Regiment - Mother, Father and Son

Monument to Emma Simmonds her husband Edward Simmonds, and son Edward Simmonds, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.

"In loving memory

 of 

Emma Simmonds 

Died Feb 17th 1917.  

Also of 

Edward 

husband of the above 

Died Dec 20th 1920.  

Also of 

Edward 

son of the above 

Died Jan 22nd 1917."

Emma Simmonds was born Emma Johnson in 1846 in Bray Berkshire to Frederick Johnson, a labourer and his wife Charlotte.

Emma first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 1, living with her grandparents, William Johnson, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Susannah, and her older brother George, in Oakley Green, Bray Berkshire, just a few houses away from her parents and Edward Simmonds

On the 1861 Census, Emma is listed aged 14 living with her parents and siblings at Oakley Green.  Living a few houses away was Edward Simmonds and his family. Emma remained with her family until going into domestic service, the 1871 Census finds Emma working for Ann Nicholson and her daughters at 2 Orchard Villas, Castle Hill, Maidenhead, Berkshire. In 1875 Emma married Edward Simmonds in Cardiff, Wales.


Edward Simmonds was born in 1849 in Bray Berkshire to William Simmonds, a Wheelwright, and his wife Caroline Allen. Edward first appears on the 1851 Census, aged 2, living with his parents and older siblings in Oakley Green, Bray, Berkshire. Edward remained in Oakley Green with his parents and later, his widowed mother Caroline until his marriage to Emma. Edward's mother Caroline was to pass away in 1876.

Emma and Edward can be found on the 1881 Census living at 20 Topaz Street, Cardiff Wales with their three young daughters, Louisa E aged 4, Charlotte aged 2, and 5-month-old Elizabeth.  At that time Edward was working as a carpenter, but he was soon to follow in his father's footsteps.

By 1891 Emma and Edward have moved back to Fifield, Berkshire, and Edward is working as a wheelwright.  The family has expanded to include Caroline, Albert, George, and Edward Jr.

In 1901 the family are still living in Fifield, but Emma is now listed as Louisa E.  Albert is now a domestic gardener, and George is an apprentice wheelwright.  Living next door is Emma's spinster sister Sarah Johnson and her son Arthur.

By 1911 Edward has followed his brother Albert into the gardening business, yet he is still living at home at Grove Place, Fifield, Berkshire, with Edward and Emma. Boarding with the family at the time is James Summer, a farm labourer. After the outbreak of World War I, Edward Jr enlisted with the Devonshire Regiment.  Sadly, he was to die as a result of service, either through injury or illness in Eton Buckinghamshire on 22nd January 1917.  He is buried in a Commonwealth War Grave at St Peter's Churchyard in Burnham, Buckinghamshire. Less than a month later his mother Emma was to pass away on 17th February 1917. Edward followed his wife and son on 20th December 1920.